Bridges to be temporarily closed in Galleria area in coming months due to drainage channel construction

From Community Reports

Published 6:43 am, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

HOUSTON - The Harris County Flood Control District began construction on a drainage channel in the Galleria area in August 2011 and is currently rebuilding and enclosing the drainage channel with dual 12-foot by 10-foot reinforced concrete box culverts. Formally identified as HCFCD Unit W129-00-00, the drainage channel runs adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks just inside West Loop 610. The work on the channel spans from San Felipe Street to Richmond Avenue.

As part of this project, the Westheimer Road and San Felipe Street bridges that cross the drainage channel will require traffic detours while the 50-year-old bridges are demolished and replaced to accommodate the new reinforced concrete box culverts. Changes in the construction schedule have delayed the expected detours from previously published dates. The bridges will not be under construction at the same time.

Work on the Westheimer bridge is expected to begin in March 2013. The bridge reconstruction project will require traffic flow on the Westheimer bridge to be limited to one lane in each direction for up to a month. The Flood Control District will communicate more information about the Westheimer bridge closure as it is available.

Work on the San Felipe bridge is expected to begin in summer 2013 and all lanes will be closed for up to two weeks. Both schedules are subject to change due to construction or weather issues. The City of Houston is contributing funds to the bridge projects.

If their ultimate destination is not in the area, motorists are encouraged to avoid the area while the bridges are under construction or to use a detour route. Signs announcing the lane closure dates will be installed in the area prior to the closures. Motorists are encouraged to be alert, to pay attention to all posted street and lane closures and to follow traffic detours.

The Flood Control District is committed to communicating information about the project to affected individuals and organizations so that citizens can make informed decisions to minimize inconvenience during construction. In addition to installing signage detailing street detours and alternative routes in the area, District officials have met with local homeowners’ and civic associations, churches, schools, businesses, and transportation and emergency services providers to provide information about the project and traffic detour plans and to answer questions. The District is also distributing traffic detour information to the media (Internet, print, radio and television).

For more information on the W129-00-00 project or the opportunity to sign up to receive regular e-mail updates, please visit the W129-00-00 project webpage at www.hcfcd.org/W129 or call the Flood Control District’s Project and Study Information Line, which is monitored daily, at 713-684-4040.

The W129-00-00 drainage channel flows northward from Westpark inside West Loop 610 and runs parallel to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. It drains into Buffalo Bayou on the southern edge of the City of Houston’s Memorial Park. Along its approximately 2-mile route, W129-00-00 crosses under U.S. 59, Richmond, Westheimer and San Felipe, all of which carry heavy loads of traffic between the Galleria area and downtown Houston. The drainage channel is bordered by concentrated areas of residential and commercial development.

The Flood Control District has been maintaining the drainage channel since the mid-1950s. The drainage channel has exceeded its design life, and over time the slopes of W129-00-00 have experienced concrete failures and erosion. The easement for the drainage channel is restricted to a narrow 35-foot area, and that property is owned by Union Pacific Railroad and CenterPoint Energy.

The Flood Control District recognized the need for repairs and launched a three-phase reconstruction project in 2004.

The first phase of the project consisted of replacing eroded sections of W129-00-00 between San Felipe and Buffalo Bayou. This $9.4 million project added depth and capacity to the drainage channel by enclosing it in dual 12-foot by 10-foot reinforced concrete box culverts. That phase of the project was completed in 2006.

The second and current phase began in August 2011 and focuses on the section of the drainage channel from San Felipe to Richmond. The third phase, which has not yet been designed or funded for construction, will span from Richmond to Westpark. When all three phases are complete, the structural integrity of the drainage channel will be greatly improved, reducing the risk of flooding to surrounding neighborhoods and commercial areas.

The Harris County Flood Control District provides projects that reduce flooding risks and damages from bayous and creeks, with appropriate regard for community and natural values. With more than 1,500 bayous and creeks totaling approximately 2,500 miles in length, the Flood Control District accomplishes its mission by devising flood damage reduction plans, implementing the plans and maintaining the infrastructure. To learn more about the Flood Control District, visit www.hcfcd.org